Serevent is used to prevent asthma attacks. Salmeterol is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing. It will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun.Serevent is also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.It may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

INSTRUCTIONS

Serevent may increase the risk of asthma-related death. Use only the prescribed dose of Serevent, and do not use it for longer than your doctor recommends. Follow all patient instructions for safe use. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 1 week of treatment. Do not use Serevent to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication.

Asthma is often treated with a combination of different drugs. If you use Serevent to treat asthma, you must use it together with another asthma control medication. Use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Talk with your doctor if your medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing attacks. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

If you are using Serevent to prevent exercise-induced asthma, use the medicine 30 minutes before exercising, or as directed by your doctor. Allow at least 12 hours to pass before you use the medicine again.

Serevent Diskus is a powder form of Serevent that comes with a special inhaler device preloaded with blister packs containing measured doses of the medicine. The device opens and loads a blister each time you use the inhaler. This device is not to be used with a spacer.

Use Serevent regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Do not stop using Serevent without first talking to your doctor. Your asthma symptoms may get worse after you stop using the medication. If you also use a steroid medication, do not stop using the steroid suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about taking less and less of the steroid before stopping completely. Seek medical attention if you think any of your asthma medications are not working as well as usual. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack. If you use a peak flow meter at home, call your doctor if your numbers are lower than normal.

Do not try to clean or take apart the Diskus device. Throw it away 6 weeks after you have taken it out of the foil pouch, or if the dose indicator shows a zero, whichever comes first. Each Serevent Diskus device contains 60 doses.

DOSAGE

Use only the prescribed dose of Serevent as directed by your doctor.

STORAGE

Store Serevent at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store Serevent away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Throw Serevent away 6 weeks after it is removed from the foil pouch. Keep Serevent out of the reach of children and away from pets.

MORE INFO:

Active Ingredient: Salmeterol

Serevent is a long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilator. It widens the airways in the lungs, which helps to breathe more easily.

Do not use Serevent if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Serevent;

you are having an asthma attack (eg, sudden severe onset or worsening of asthma symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing).

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Serevent Diskus . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

if you have had a severe allergic reaction to milk protein

if you have a history of liver problems, diabetes, heart problems (eg, fast or irregular heartbeat, heart blood vessel problems), high blood pressure, lowblood potassium levels, seizures, an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma), or an overactive thyroid

if you have recently been to an emergency room for asthma, have a history of frequent hospitalizations for asthma, or have ever had a life-threatening asthma attack

if you have had an unusual reaction to a sympathomimetic medicine (eg, albuterol, pseudoephedrine), such as fast or irregular heartbeat, overexcitement, or severe trouble sleeping

if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) or a tricyclic antidepressant (eg, amitriptyline), or you have taken any of these medicines within the last 14 days

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Serevent Diskus . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Serevent: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: